DEMOREST — The Piedmont College cross country program will begin its 2018 campaign on Friday as the Lions compete in the JSU Strut's Season Opener in Oxford, Ala.
Both the men's and women's team will race at the Choccolocco Park Sports Complex on Friday for a pair of evening races. The women compete on the 5k course at 6:00 p.m. while the men race on the 7k course at 6:45 p.m.
"I'm excited to see some really good competition," head coach Jeff Jenkins said. "There's definitely going to be a lot of good Division I schools there. I think we will be able to compete with the host, Jacksonville State, who is a Division I school. Despite the divisions, I believe we can still compete."
The men's and women's teams were both selected third in the USA South Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, which was released on August 23.
"I wasn't surprised with the rankings for both the men and women," Jenkins said. "Our women finished third last season and the men finished one point away from third. The talent that Berea brings back on the men's side is elevating our talent and making us better. In theory, the fight is for second on the men's side.
"On the women's side, I think we go into this season with a chance to win the league. I believe that there are three teams that can win the championship so it will be up to us to get the job done."
